Vishwaroopam set for TN release

After nearly 10 days of high drama, marked by protests, mediation and negotiations, actor-director Kamal Haasan’s trilingual film ‘Vishwaroopam’ is finally set for release in theatres across Tamil Nadu. The actor agreed to seven demands of Muslim leaders — mostly muting of some audio portions — thus bringing the curtains down on an episode in the history of Tamil cinema, marred by allegations of infringement of freedom of expression and hurting of communal sentiments.
“I would like to thank the chief minister and the home secretary for facilitating the talks,” said Kamal Haasan, who arrived from Mumbai on Saturday morning after the film’s release in theatres in the north. “We discussed many scenes with our Muslim brothers and finally agreed to delete some sound clips from the film,” he said. “We will withdraw our writ petition (in the Madras HC), and hope that the court will lift the ban soon. The release date will be announced very shortly.” He said the altered film would be sent to the Censor Board for approval.
With home secretary R Rajagopal playing mediator, the actor and 15 representatives of the Tamil Nadu Federation of Muslim Organizations held negotiations at the state secretariat for nearly four hours before thrashing out a compromise. The talks began at 3 pm and went on until 7 pm, when the groups emerged to announce a happy ending to the controversy.
Reacting strongly to Kamal agreeing to the demands of Muslim leaders, filmmaker K Hariharan said, “It is absurd, according to me. Kamal did this under pressure. He can’t do anything about it.” Pointing out that only TN had a problem and not Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, which are screening the full version of the film, he said, “This is just to satisfy some egos and for some people to get publicity. Ultimately, the Telugu and Hindi versions will be available on DVDs. Will the protesters seek to censor them too?”

The film will start with a disclaimer, saying that it is a work of fiction and that it is not meant to hurt the sentiments of any section of society
All audio portions with verses of the Holy Quran will be muted, except one that is perceived to be non-objectionable by the Muslim community
In a scene where an American is hacked, a picture in the background with a verse of the Quran will be blurred out
A prayer scene before Kamal Haasan prevents a bomb attack in the US, followed by a scene with background prayers will be beeped out
All references to Tamil jihadis, and to Mullah Omar having stayed in Coimbatore and Madurai will also be removed
A scene in which actor Nasser says it is the duty of Muslims to eliminate non-Muslims will be muted